JOHN FETCHERO, III, DO THE DOCTOR’S NOTES
This time, the doctor’s notes are musical ones. Dr. John Fetchero is a LECOM Erie College of Medicine graduate who is completing his family medicine residency at St. Petersburg General Hospital in Florida. Recently, the third-year resident appeared on the Dr. Bill Handelman radio show in St. Petersburg where Dr. Fetchero discussed and expounded upon his training at LECOM. The in-depth talk-radio interview focused upon the preparedness and skills that he gained while in medical school and upon his work at the hospital. Those who understand the nature of the calling of medicine will recognize that the labors and efforts of a medical resident are focused penetratingly upon the arduous and demanding schedule and exactitudes of the residency program. With 60 to 80 hours devoted to hospital time per week, this circumstance is decidedly true for Dr. Fetchero. Of course, with all of the pressures associated with the weighty burdens of a medical residency program, there arises a need for a “stressreliever”, a release of sorts, and a chance to let loose, to liberate, to emancipate and to discharge the demands of a day spent in the throes of intense medical training. Thankfully, music offers the diversion to which the tune-filled trainee may turn his attention. His band, Fetch was formed with his two brothers, Dominic and Chris. Professionals all – drummer, Dominic is a pre-med major at Florida State University who hopes to attend LECOM; while brother, Chris (on electric guitar, bass guitar, and back-up vocals) is a second year law student at Thomas Cooley Law School in Tampa. Dr. Fetchero is the lead vocalist and guitarist and he writes the majority of the songs. The family hails from Jacksonville, where their father is an ENT specialist. Dr. Fetchero attributes his success and opportunities to those skills developed and nurtured while at LECOM. “I was graduated from the Erie campus in 2011; I struggled academically throughout my time in medical school, but the leadership and the LECOM faculty were very supportive in helping me to make it through the program,” pronounced the grateful doctor. “LECOM is a great school and I am proud to say that I was graduated from there. There was no other school that 10 LECOM CONNECTION | SPRING 2014 | LECOM.edu
I have ever attended that was so invested in me. LECOM truly cared about me and they wanted to see me succeed; I was never made to feel that I was just a number,” Dr. Fetchero further explained. The enthusiastic resident echoed the adage that people do not care how much one knows until they know how much one cares. “It really makes a difference,” he accentuated. “I was very happy to join St. Petersburg General Hospital, a LECOM affiliate, because they continue that caring